LAHORE: Iron gates installed for the security by residents of several blocks of Allama Iqbal Town, Gulshan-i-Ravi and Faisal Town, sectors of Township and Green Town have turned the localities into ‘no-go areas’ even for pedestrians.

The situation was no different at Mustafa Town, Johar Town and Tajpura where residents said the ineffective role of the law-enforcing agencies for curbing crime had forced them to make such arrangements for their security.

A survey revealed on Saturday that gates were erected without any lawful authority in Allama Iqbal Town’s College, Hunza, Umar, Raza, Sikander, Ravi, Nargis, Zeenat, Kashmir, Huma, Jahanzeb and Kamran blocks, besides some streets in C, F, G and H blocks of Gulshan-i-Ravi.The Lahore Development Authority had in January 2009 launched a campaign in the localities under its control and utility area of private housing schemes against illegal structures and other hurdles to pedestrians' movement, and to ensure smooth flow of traffic and quick disposal of storm water accumulating on roads.

Before launching the 2009 campaign, the LDA had conducted a survey of gates on link-roads and streets of these localities. The authority had pulled down around 250 iron gates erected in 12 blocks of Allama Iqbal Town and four blocks of Gulshan-i-Ravi.

Some gates were removed by the residents of Gulshan-i-Ravi for a day or so during the campaign. They kept the streets and roads blocked for vehicles by placing bamboo ladders there. The gates were re-installed after the campaign ended.